NEW ORLEANS – The first annual Top Taco Festival, presented by Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, on Thursday, March 23, at Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza, will be a festive evening and culinary competition benefitting One Heart NOLA, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the city’s foster children.
The event will showcase more than 40 of New Orleans’ acclaimed restaurants; 24 spirits and beverages; live entertainment by Los Poboycitos and Afro-Cuban jazz and groove band Otra; a silent auction; and the chance to crown winners in four categories: Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Creative Cocktail and Top Traditional Margarita.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. for 1st Tasting and VIP ticketholders, and 6:30 p.m. for the general public.
Event judges will include:
• Sal Agnello – Beverage Director of Ace Hotel
• Frank Brigtsen – Owner of Brigtsen’s Restaurant
• Emily Coleman – Director of Partnerships of Tales of the Cocktail®
• Charles Divins – WDSU Morning Anchor
• Michael Durbin – Texas Taco Council
• Linda Green – “Yakamein Lady” and winner of Food Network’s "Chopped: Pride of New Orleans"
• Abigail Gullo – Head Bartender of Compère Lapin
• Dominique Macquet – Chef
• Alessandra Madrid and Maggie Robert – Bloggers, Babes & Beignets
• Andrew Marin – Food and cocktail writer for Where Y’at
• Ian McNulty – food writer for New Orleans Advocate
• Leroy Mitchell – Whistle Monsta
• Kimberly Patton-Bragg – Owner/ operator of Three Muses Maple
• Jose Ralat – author of "American Tacos: A History and Guide to the Taco Trail North of the Border"
• Alon Shaya – Executive Chef and Partner of Domenica, Pizza Domenica and Shaya
• Hank Staples – Proprietor of Maple Leaf bar
• Aaron Wilkinson – Lead vocalist of Honey Island Swamp Band
• Liz Williams – Founder and President of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SoFAB)
• Jason Rogers Williams – New Orleans City Councilman
Participating restaurants will include:
• Araña
• bacobar
• The Backyard
• Barcadia
• Bayou Burger & Sports Company
• Blue Oak BBQ
• Bourbon House
• Brugger’s Barbecue & Barrel Proof
• Butcher
• Canal Street Bistro
• Carreta’s Grill
• Del Fuego
• Drago’s
• El Paso Mexican Grill
• Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria
• Jacques Imo’s
• Johnny Sanchez
• Juan’s Flying Burrito
• Kingfish
• La Casita
• Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
• Lula’s
• Masquerade
• Mizado
• Nacho Mama’s
• Patois
• PF Chang’s
• Rum House
• Superior Grill
• Tacos and Beer
• Tequila House
• Velvet Cactus
Sprit and beverage participants will include:
• 03
• 1800 Tequila
• Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
• Casa Noble
• Casamigos
• Corona Beer
• Cuervo Tradicional
• Dekuyper
• Don Julio
• El Mayor
• El Silencio
• El Tesoro
• Espalon
• Evamor Water
• Exotico
• Fortaleza
• Ghost Tequila
• Gran Centenario
• Hornitos
• Hussong’s
• Lunazul
• Maestro Dobel
• Modelo Especial
• Negra Modelo
• Patron
• Patron Citronage
• Patron XO
• Peligroso
• Sauza Blue
• Tequila Ocho
• Tito’s Vodka
• Tres Generaciones
In addition to tasty bites and libations, Top Taco will also feature a curated silent auction with one-of-a-kind packages, laser tag and a VIP Lounge aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen – with culinary creations from 10 exclusive VIP restaurants: Vincent’s, Cowbell, Chiba, Horn’s, Tracey’s, Pirogue, Feeling’s Café, Namese, Norma’s Bakery and Midway; live music by Muevelo, private Extra Anejo tequila tastings, premium open bar provided by Jim Beam Global and a Patron XO-infused dessert station featuring La Boulangerie and Laurel Street Bakery.
General admission passes are $65 per person, 1st Tasting tickets are $85 and include early entry, and VIP discounted tickets are $125 per person which includes early entry plus the VIP Lounge experience on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.
